Mecodema moniliferum

Mecodema moniliferum is a medium-sized ground beetle endemic to the South island, New Zealand.^[1] This species is part of the monophyletic curvidens group and is found on the braided-river systems of the South Island.^[2]

Mecodema moniliferum
Dorsal view of specimen
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Coleoptera
Suborder:	Adephaga
Family:	Carabidae
Genus:	Mecodema
Species:	M. moniliferum
Binomial name
Mecodema moniliferum (Bates, 1867)

Diagnosis

Distinguished from other Mecodema species by having:

1. ventrites 4–5 bearing numerous setose punctures;
2. elytral striae defined anteriorly and laterally by large, irregularly spaced asetose punctures;
3. shape of basal lobe and setal distribution along ventral edge of left paramere.^[2]

Description

Length 14.6–19.5 mm, pronotal width 4.2–6.2 mm, elytral width 5.1–7.1 mm. Colour of entire body matte reddish-brown to matte black.^[2]

Natural history

One of the three Mecodema species that is adapted to inhabiting the braided-river systems of Canterbury and Otago, South Island.